Rockets assign C Thabeet to D-league

HOUSTON The 7-foot-3 Thabeet has played in only two games since the Rockets acquired him from Memphis in the deadline deal that sent Shane Battier to the Grizzlies. Thabeet averaged 1.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 45 games with Memphis this season.

Thabeet is the third Rockets player to be assigned to the Vipers this season. He averaged 13.8 points, 11.2 boards and 3.17 blocks in six games with the D-League Dakota Wizards in 2009-10.

The former Connecticut star was the second overall pick in the 2009 draft. In 2009-10, he ranked second among rookies in blocks per game (1.31).